The Dilemma - Career Growth and Relocation ! ?

I was talking to a person who is an achiever and was instrumental in turning around  many companies. He said an interesting thing that he believes that if you want Career Growth, you should not stick to a place of residence. This triggered many things in my mind.

I think every individual needs to define - Why career ? Why career growth ? What is that you want at the end of the day (say after you reached a certain level in professional life) ?

Do you want to work ( I am not differentiating entrepreneurs) for Money or for some satisfaction that you 'can do it' ? I, strongly believe Money is a major motivation. Else, why do top guys get paid so much? If one is not interested in Money and works only for passion, they may not look for position, status and money. Hence I am focusing on people who get 'salary' for the work done.

If you are working for salary, you aim to get higher salary year after year. You expect salary hike in the same company, even if you like the job and employer and not interested in switching jobs. At some point,if you lose interest in job/company ( manager?) , you may look out who will pay higher salary. Some people say they switched job as a new job is more challenging. But, I doubt that statement. It must be salary that is attractive. There may be 0.01% people joining a new company with better challenges and lower salary.

There are two types of people

# Prefer to stick around in the same City

# Willing to go to any place for Career Growth

Prefer to stick around in the same City

You may move out of your city, go to a new city for a new job. You like the city and get settled in that city. If you got a job in the city where you are born and brought up and got a good job in that city only, you may just settle down.

You started your career and liked the organization. You are growing well in the organization and you are happy. You have freedom and you are not after money. ! If you get a better career opportunity in another city, you may not accept. What is stopping you from moving to a new City for better career Growth ?

• You believe in destiny. If you are destined to get more money, you WILL get it!
• Got married and do not want any discomfort for any
• Spouse refuses to move to a new city :-)
• Spouse has a decent job and does not want to move out
• Children are studying in good schools. Can not shift them.
• Bought your house.
• Parents/friends/relatives live in the same city and you love meeting them
• Comfortable in current place
• Uncomfortable to join a new company
• Every one recognizes you in current company and you need to start proving your self all over again in a new place.
• Basically you are happy with your life and not ambitious.
• Even if you have ambitions of a posh house /healthy bank balance / luxury car, you may switch jobs in the same city and still manage the dreams
• You have a family doctor and he/she knows all about you
• Your retirement life may have already been planned :-)

You are in Golden cage. There is nothing wrong. You are enjoying your life style. No one can say that you sacrificed your career growth for staying back in the city. It is your preference!

Willing to go to any Place And keep moving!

You are ambitious and willing to risk. You are willing to experiment. More often you need the support of family. Every relocation may come with some hardships. Why do you like moving to a new city?

• You love challenges and ready to take up job anywhere
• Family supports you.
• Your spouse if not working, he/she may move with you
• If Spouse is working, he/she may try to get a suitable job in the city you want to work
• Every switch in job may give you better position, Salary and more savings
• You get restless in a company if working for more than 2-3 years.
• You love to work in different cities. You identify a city where you want to work and then look for companies in that city
• Some people move to different cities without family and only for money. They sacrifice family life and tend to make family comfortable.
• You want become Director of a company. Switching jobs, taking up different roles/functions in reputed companies may make it possible sooner
• You like to interact with more new people

Only care that need to be taken care of is your retirement. You need a place to retire. I presume , you made enough money and that should not be a problem!

While you can have reasonably good career growth even by continuing in same company or city,  career growth certainly can better if you are willing to relocate. But, every move comes with Pros and Cons ! And only you know them better.

And, at the end of it, it is purely your choice. Neither one is bad. If you are happy, stick around in the same city. You love challenges and don't mind travelling to new cities, go ahead and have fun!